Leather-brushing machine.



C. RUHE.

LEATHER BRUSHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION man JULY 8.1915.

LMQQ. Patented Jan. 30,1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

abbm'vun C. RUHE.

LEATHER BRUSHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 8.1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

gwuambo'c m fluke Patented J an. 30,

' l vi-tmaooeo C. RUHE.

LEATHER BRUSHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 8. I915.

1 18,9403. Patented Jan. 30, 1917.

4 SHEETSSHEEF 3.

maven (oz Witweomzo 0. RUHE.

LEATHER BRUSHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED IULY 8. I915.

T m I 0 m 3 w d w w I m M P I I III II 7/ Q I I 9 I 47 0 3 I IIW "Z 1 .,I 3 9 3 f I CABLETON BUHE, OF CLEAN, NEW YORK.

LEATHER-BRUSHING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 311, I917.

Application filed July 8, 1915. Serial No. 38,836.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CARLETON RUHE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Olean, in the county of Cattaraugus and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Leather- Brushing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in machines for cleaning, washing, scrubbing or brushing stock or leather, after the tanning thereof, while not necessarily restricted to such use.

An important object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above mentioned character, having means for conveniently regulating the degree of contact or pressure between the movable or rotating brush or brushes and the stock or leather carried by a preferably traveling support.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above mentioned character, which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and convenient in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying my invention, Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through one of the bearings for the brushes, taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 4, Fig. 4 is a plan view of the machine, Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 4, Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan view of a portion-of the vertically adjustable tension frame and associated elements, parts being omitted, and, Fig. 7 is a detail transverse sectional view taken on line 77 of Fig. 3.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral lOdesignates a supporting structure as a whole, comprising vertical beams or posts 11, having their lower ends rigidly connected by longitudinal and transverse horizontal beams 12 and 13. The posts 11 are connected near their upper ends by longitudinal horizontal beams 14 and transverse horizontal beams 15, as shown.

Arranged to operate upon or within the upper portion of the supporting structure 10 is a traveling support or endless conveyer 16, which may be formed of canvas, leather or other suitable material. This endless conveyer is passed about rolls 17 and 18. The roll 18 is carried by a transverse shaft 19, journaled through preferably stationary bearings 20, rigidly secured within openings 21 formed in the ends of the horizontal beams 14. The roll 17 is carried by a transverse shaft 22, journaled through bearings 23 which are longitudinally movably mounted within openings 24, formed in the opposite corresponding ends of the beams 14. Having swiveled connection with the bearings 23 are adjusting bolts 25, having screw-threaded engagement with metallic caps 26, which are rigidly attached to the ends of the beams 14. These bolts are provided at their upper ends with heads 27, by means of which they may be rotated to effect the longitudinal movement of the bearings 23, and the accidental rotation of these bolts is prevented by springs 28, as shown. It is thus apparent that means is provided to regulate the tension of the endless conveyer 16.

Arranged above the endless conveyer 16 and near the same, to contact with the stock or leather thereon are rotatable brushes 29, 30 and 31. The brush 29 is rigidly mounted upon a transverse shaft 32, the ends of which are j ournaled through bearings designated as a whole by the numeral 33. Each of the bearings 33, as more clearly shown in Fig. 2, comprises a body portion or base 34, bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to the outer side of the beam 14. The base 34 carries an upstanding trunnion or pivot element 35, upon which is pivotally mounted a sleeve or boss 36 carried by a horizontally swinging frame or ring 37. This frame or ring is provided with horizontally diametrically oppositely arranged sleeves or bosses 38, receiving pivot elements 39, extending inwardly for pivotal connection with sleeves or bosses 40, formed upon an inner vertically swinging bearing 41. The bearing 41 is provided with a central opening 42 to receive the shaft 32. It is thus apparent that the outer ring 37 is adapted to swing in a horizontal plane while the inner ring or bearing element 41 is adapted to swing in a Vertical plane, whereby the ends of the shaft 32 are pivotally supported in a manner so that they may partake of slight or perceptible vertical and horizontal movements. The brush is rigidly mounted upon a transverse shaft 43, journaled through bearings 44, rigidly secured to the beams 14. The bearings 44 are identical with the bearings 33. The brush 31 is rigidly mounted upon a transverse shaft 45 journaled through bearings 46, which are identical with the bearings 33. The bearings 46 are rigidly secured to the beams 14.

Power is preferably applied to the shaft 43 through the medium of a pulley 47, rigidly connected with one end thereof, such pulley being driven clockwise as indicated by the arrow. Rigidly mounted upon the shaft 43 inwardly of and adjacent the pulley 47 is a small pulley 48 engaging a belt 49, extending to the right for engagement with the pulley 50 rigidly mounted upon the outer end of the shaft 45. Rigidly connected with the opposite end of the shaft 43 is a small pulley 51, engaged by a belt 52 extending to the left for engagement with a large pulley V 53 rigidly mounted upon the shaft 32. It is thus apparent that all of the brushes are rotated in the same direction, to wit, clockwise, but the inner brush 30 is rotated at a greater rate of speed than the outer brushes. Rigidly connected with the opposite end of the shaft is a small pulley 54, engaged by a crossed belt 55 engaging a large pulley 56, rigidly mounted upon the shaft 19. It is thus apparent that the endless conveyer has its upper portion traveling in the same direction' with the lower portions of the brushes but at a slower speed than each of 7 them.

Arranged within the upper portion of the supporting structure 10 and preferably within the endless conveyer 16, is a substantially horizontally 7 movable member or frame 57, which is preferably rectangular and embodies side members 58, connected by end members 59. The side members 58, as more clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6, are provided upon their outer sides with longitudinally extending preferably substantially faces 64, formed'upon side members of a vertically movable member or frame 66. The side members 65 are rigidly connected by end members 67, as shown. The inclined faces 63 and 64, as more clearly shown in Fig. 7, are preferably grooved, for receiving bearing elements or balls 68, as shown. As more clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the side members 65 are provided with vertical ribs or flanges 69, slidably mounted within vertical grooves 70, formed in tracks 71, rigidly secured to the inner sides of the beams 14. It is thus apparent that upon the longitudinal movement of the member or frame 57 to the right, the member or frame 66 will be elevated, but cannot partake of perceptible horizontal movement.

The side members 65 of the vertically movable member or frame are provided with upstanding extensions or bearings 72, receiving rotatable shafts 73, carrying pressure rolls 74. These pressure rolls are arranged below the upper portion of the endless conveyer 16 and are preferably disposed directly beneath the brushes and preferably correspond in number and arrangement therewith. The function of these rolls is to regulate the degree of contact or pressure between the brushes or leather and stock carried by the endless conveyer.

The numeral designates idle rolls, ar-

ranged beneath the upper portion of the endless conveyer 16, outwardly of and near the end rolls 74. The rolls 75 are suitably pivotally connected with the beams 14.

Means for effecting the longitudinal or horizontal movement of the member or frame 57 comprises a pair of horizontal rack-bars 76, rigidly attached to the end thereof, as shown. Having engagement with the rack-bars 76 are pinions or gears 77, rigidly mounted upon a transverse rotatable shaft 78, suitably journaled through the beams 14. As more clearly shown in Fig. 4, the shaft 78 has a hand wheel 79 rigidly connected therewith, for turning it. Rigidly connected with the shaft 78 is a ratchet wheel 80, adapted to be engaged by a pawl 81, such pawl and ratchet means serving to prevent the improper turning of the shafts 7 8 in an opposite direction.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The stock or leather to be treated is fed upon the right hand of the endless conveyer 16 and is carried thereby beneath the rotating brushes 29, 30 and 31, the lower portions of which are traveling in the same direction with the endless conveyer. By turning the hand wheel 79 counter-cloclc wise, the rack-bars 76 are moved to the right, carrying the member or frame 57 to the right. This movement of the frame 57, through the medium of the inclined faces 63 and 64, moves the frame or member 66 upwardly, whereby the pressure elements or rolls 74 are moved toward the rotating brushes. It is apparent that the degree of pressure or contact between the brushes and the stock or leather carried by the endless conveyer is increased. By rotating the hand wheel 79 clockwise it is obvious that the reverse of this operation will take place. The pawl and ratchet means serves to prevent accidental or improper clockwise rotation of the hand wheel 7 9 whereby the member or frame is locked in adjustment at the desired vertical position.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described the invention, I claim 1. In a machine of the character described, a supporting structure, a flexible traveling support connected therewith, a plurality of rotatable brushes arranged near and above the traveling support, a corresponding number of pressure elements arranged beneath the traveling support in substantial vertical alinement with the brushes, and means to simultaneously move the pressure elements toward and away from the brushes, substantially as described.

2. In a machine of the character described, a supporting structure, a flexible support connected therewith, a plurality of rotatable brushes arranged near and above the flexible support, a corresponding number of pressure elements arranged beneath the support in substantial vertical alinement with the brushes, and means to substantially simultaneously raise and lower the pressure elements with relation to the brushes.

3. In a machine of the character described, a supporting structure, an endless conveyer connected therewith, a plurality of rotatable brushes arranged near and above the upper portion of the endless conveyer, a corresponding number of pressure rolls arranged beneath the upper portion of the endless conveyer in approximately vertical alinement with the brushes, and common means to raise and lower the pressure rolls with relation to the brushes.

4:. In a machine of the character described, a supporting structure, an endless conveyer connected therewith, a plurality of rotatable brushes connected with the supporting structure and arranged near and above the endless conveyer, a movable frame arranged beneath the upper portion of the endless conveyer, a plurality of pressure rolls carried by the frame and disposed in approximately vertical alinement with the brushes beneath the upper portion of the endless conveyer, and means to raise and lower the frame.

5. In a machine of the character described, a supporting structure, an endless conveyer connected therewith, a vertically movable frame carried by the supporting structure beneath the upper portion of the endless conveyer and having inclined faces, a plurality of pressure rolls carried by the vertically movable frame and engaging the lower side of the upper portion of the endless conveyer, a substantially horizontally movable frame arranged beneath the vertically movable frame and having inclined faces to cooperate with the first named inclined faces, means to move the horizontally movable frame in one direction, and brush means arranged near and above the endless conveyer.

6. In a machine of the character described, a supporting structure, a traveling support connected therewith and adapted to be vertically moved with relation thereto, a member arranged within the supporting structure beneath the traveling support and adapted to be raised and lowered with relation thereto and having a cam face, a coacting member carried by the supporting structure and having a cam face to cooperate with the first named cam face, means to move the co-acting member approximately horizontally, a pressure element carried by the first named member and contacting with the lower side of the traveling support, and a movable brush arranged near and above the traveling support.

7. In a machine of the character described, a supporting structure, an endless conveyer connected therewith, a vertically movable frame connected with the supporting structure and arranged beneath the upper portion of the endless conveyer, a plurality of pressure rolls carried by the frame and contacting with the lower surface of such upper portion of the endless conveyer, a plurality of rotatable brushes arranged near and above the endless conveyer in proximity to the pressure rolls, a substantially horizontally movable frame arranged near and beneath the vertically movable frame, means whereby the vertically movable frame is raised upon the horizontal movement of the other frame in one direction, and means to move the horizontally movable frame.

8. In a machine of the character described, a supporting structure, a traveling support connected therewith, a substantially horizontally movable frame arranged within the supporting structure beneath a portion of the traveling support, a substantially vertically movable frame arranged within the supporting structure beneath a portion of the traveling support, means whereby the substantially vertically movable frame is raisednpon the horizontal movement of the supporting structure and arranged above the other frame in one direction, a rack-bar contraveling support. 10 nected with the horizontally movable frame, In testimony whereof I afiix my signature a gear to operate the'rack-bar, manually opin presence of two wltnesses.

erated means to turn the gear, pressure CARLETON RUHE. means carried by the vertically movable Witnesses:

frame to contact with the traveling sup- JAMES L. CRAWFORD,

port, and brush means connected with the B. F. FIsHBURNE.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cent: each, by addressing the Comminioncr of limits. Washington, D. C." 

